Home › Kitchen › Best air fryers
Kitchen · Tested 2026
The 5 best air fryers of 2026
We ran 14 popular air fryers through the same battery of tests — frozen fries, fresh wings, a whole chicken, and a tray of veggies — scoring each on crispiness, capacity, noise, and how annoying they are to clean. After 40+ hours, these five rose to the top.
The shortlist
1 · CrispPro 6Q Dual Zone — Best overall 2 · BudgetCrisp 4L — Best value 3 · CompactAir Mini 2L — Best for small kitchens Quick comparison table FAQ| Model | Best for | Capacity | Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CrispPro 6Q | Overall | 6 qt | 4.8 | Check price › |
| BudgetCrisp 4L | Value | 4 L | 4.6 | Check price › |
| CompactAir Mini | Small kitchens | 2 L | 4.5 | Check price › |
1 · CrispPro 6Q Dual Zone
CrispPro 6Q Dual Zone
Two independent baskets mean you cook fries and wings at once, finishing together. The crispiest results in our test and surprisingly quiet.
- Crispiest results overall
- Two zones, sync finish
- Dishwasher-safe baskets
- Takes counter space
- Premium price
2 · BudgetCrisp 4L
BudgetCrisp 4L
90% of the performance for half the price. Simple dial controls, compact footprint, and genuinely great fries.
- Unbeatable price
- Compact footprint
- Easy dial controls
- Single basket
- Basic presets
3 · CompactAir Mini 2L
CompactAir Mini 2L
Tiny enough to live in a cupboard, perfect for one or two people and dorms. Heats fast and tidies away in seconds.
- Fits anywhere
- Fast heat-up
- Great for 1–2 people
- Small capacity
- Not for batch cooking
How we tested
Every air fryer cooked the same four foods at the maker's recommended settings. We measured crispiness by texture and color, recorded noise with a decibel meter at 1m, and timed how long each took to clean by hand. Capacity is real usable volume, not marketing numbers.
Frequently asked questions
Are air fryers actually healthier?
Yes — they use little to no oil, cutting fat content significantly versus deep frying, while keeping food crisp. They're not magic, but a meaningful upgrade for everyday cooking.
What size air fryer do I need?
2L suits 1–2 people, 4–6L is the sweet spot for couples and small families, and 8Q+ is best for families of four or batch cooking.
Do air fryers use a lot of electricity?
Far less than a full oven for small portions — they heat a small chamber quickly, so most meals finish in 10–20 minutes.
The verdict: for most kitchens the CrispPro 6Q is worth the splurge. Tight on budget or space? The BudgetCrisp 4L and CompactAir Mini won't let you down.